Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, along with Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra in Bhubaneswar today.

The conference is being organised under the theme ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age’. It focuses on improving urban accessibility, integrated transport infrastructure and quality of urban life through emerging digital technologies.

The deliberations cover sustainable and low-carbon public transport, seamless multimodal integration, first- and last-mile connectivity, reduction in traffic congestion and emissions, and the role of digital technologies in making cities more accessible, inclusive and liveable.

Addressing the inaugural session, Tokhan Sahu said that the Urban Mobility India Conference has emerged as an important national platform for shaping the future of urban transport.

Highlighting this year’s theme, ‘Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age’, he said that true progress in urban development should be measured by how safely, comfortably and independently citizens, including women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, can travel within cities.

Sahu highlighted the significant expansion of metro rail infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He stated that India’s operational metro network has expanded from 248 kilometres in 2014 to over 1,185 kilometres across 26 cities. He further informed that work is underway on another 998 kilometres of metro lines.

He said that the expansion of metro networks, along with initiatives such as the National Common Mobility Card, QR-based ticketing and PM e-Bus Sewa, is transforming urban mobility and making public transport more accessible and sustainable.

Appreciating the efforts of the Odisha government, Sahu highlighted the state’s Ama Bus services as an example of modern, technology-enabled public transport.

He stated that efficient and inclusive urban mobility will play a crucial role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

He expressed confidence that the Conference would contribute to innovative solutions for making Indian cities more accessible, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said, “Urban mobility is not merely about transportation; it is about improving the quality of life of our citizens and making our cities more accessible, inclusive and sustainable. As Odisha’s cities continue to grow, our focus is on developing safe, reliable, affordable and people-centric public transport systems that respond to the everyday needs of citizens. Through initiatives such as Ama Bus and Ama E-Ride, we are taking meaningful steps towards making urban mobility more convenient and accessible for all, including students, working professionals, women and other commuters.

The Urban Mobility India Conference 2026 provides a valuable platform for states and urban transport experts to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore innovative solutions for the future of our cities. We look forward to learning from these experiences and strengthening our collective efforts towards sustainable urban development and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Better Mobility, Better Lives is not just a vision, but a commitment to building cities where every citizen can travel with ease, safety and dignity.”

Anu Garg, Chief Secretary of Odisha, stated, “Odisha is committed to transforming urban mobility through the 8S approach—Service Access & Service Reliability, Smart Mobility, Sustainability, Systems, Safety, Seamlessness, Samaveshi and Satisfaction. With around 800 buses serving eight cities, CRUT is strengthening public transport through digital ticketing, greater participation of women drivers and improved commuter convenience. Alongside expanding EV infrastructure, our focus is on building an integrated, inclusive and sustainable mobility ecosystem that makes public transport safer, smarter and accessible to all.”

Satendra Singh, Secretary, Department of Urban Development, MoHUA, said that the Urban Mobility India Conference, being held in Bhubaneswar for the first time, has evolved into an important international platform for sharing best practices and addressing challenges in urban transport since its inception in 2008.

Satendra Singh informed that around 1,500 delegates from India and abroad are expected to participate in the two-day Conference, which includes technical sessions, round table discussions and research symposiums.

He said that the deliberations would help shape policies and strategies for providing efficient, sustainable and high-quality urban transport solutions to India’s growing urban population.

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Exhibition on Urban Transport Technologies and Best Practices

As part of the conference, an exhibition showcasing best practices in urban transport from India and abroad, emerging technologies, services and innovative mobility solutions was inaugurated by Shri Tokhan Sahu in the presence of Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra and other dignitaries.

A total of 28 exhibitors, including representatives from the Government of Odisha, Metro Rail Companies, public sector organisations and private sector entities, are participating in the exhibition. The exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase technological advancements and exchange knowledge on sustainable urban transport solutions.